Ray DeForest: Date Night

By Ray DeForest, TTP: Each week my partner and I plan a “date night”. One of us calls and asks the other out for a romantic dinner. We have our favorite places in NYC, like Gascogne, that have great food and an atmosphere that makes the night special. Phones are turned off and we fall in love all over again.

Recently, I read a report by The American Cancer Society. It said that the LGBT population is at a greater risk of colon and anal cancers. Risk is increased due to anal intercourse, having a higher number of lifetime sexual partners and smoking (Really? People still smoke that much?!). Most cases occur between the ages of 50 and 80, and can be prevented by stopping smoking and eating more fruits and veggies.

My dad passed away due to colon cancer. It was a long and difficult fight for him. I miss him every day. He was a man that played tennis 3 times a week, ate well and seemed to do everything right, except, he smoked…a lot! Now at 51, I need to be careful. Genetics, and now it seems, being gay, might play a part in my getting the disease. I work out, watch my weight (ok, I watched it go up a bit recently), don’t smoke and try to eat right.

When I was growing up vegetables meant they came out of a plastic bag, drenched in velvety cheese sauce. You could barely see the corn or broccoli through that yummy golden goodness!

I marveled at the science of food as a child of the 60’s. On special nights mom would make those wonderful Swanson frozen dinners in the metal trays. They seemed like something out of the Jetsons! Even the box looked like a TV! Fried chicken, corn in butter sauce and mashed potatoes, all separated by metal compartments sitting on our aqua and blue TV trays, as we watched the Flintstones in prime time! God, my mouth is watering already. We were a modern family and we let science feed us!

Now in my adult years veggies escape me. Cheese sauce is a no-no these days and butter seems like one of the original sins! I was lucky enough to be a featured guest host on the Food Network for 3 years. I would always get notes saying… “How about some veggies on your show!” Ugh, I just never liked them without that smooth cheesy and buttery sauce.

Well, it was time again for date night with my partner, and we prepared. 24 hours of only liquids and lots of movement! We held hands as we walked into our newest destination. It smelled so nice, sort of vanilla and butter! We went into our pre-arranged area and laid down. When we awoke, the doctor told us it went well. My partner was clean, but I had a polyp! He removed it and I would know in a week if all was ok. It was. On the way out the doctor said… “Can I suggest a little more of ‘natures broom’?” Huh? “You know, greens, broccoli, cauliflower, otherwise known as vegetables!” Oh, yeah, right. My partner gave me the “look.” Another date night and falling in love again!

Later that week, I reflected on my doctor’s assessment. I went to my local farmers market and loaded up! Green, yellow, orange, red, all the fab colors. I was starting to like this! Pretty and good for you…I could handle that. I am a visual person after all, but could I do it without the yummy sauce? Time will tell. My fridge now has a sign… “Natures Broom Closet”. Happy dating.

Hugs and Love

Previously: Ray DeForest: Who I Am | Ray DeForest: Remembrall | Ray DeForest: Those Wonderful Toys